Horizontal Translation

Shown below is the graph of the function f(x) = x2. Graph the functions u(x) = (x - 3)2 and then v(x) = (x + 5)2 by typing their equations in the Input bar.

Questions to think about

1.) What are your observations about the graphs of f, u, and v? 2.) How does adding a number to the input of a function affect its graph? 3.) How does subtracting a number from the input of a function affect its graph? 4.) What conjectures can you make based on your answers above?

TIP

Since f(x) = x2, another way to graph u(x) = (x - 3)2 is to type u(x) = f(x - 3).